SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. House on Thursday passed a measure that would add 22,000 acres to Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.
The measure introduced by Rep. Dave Reichert, D-Wash., would add some lowland areas and parts of watersheds to the central Cascade wilderness and would designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as wild and scenic. Reichert says the bill would protect areas that have been cleaned up and made pristine, and add more space to one of the most heavily visited wilderness areas in the country.
A companion measure introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., awaits action in the U.S. Senate.
